Member (Mayor Emeritus) Eugene Brune, John Caruso, Kiwanis President Mernaysa Rivera-Bujosa.

On Thursday, September 8, the members of the Somerville Kiwanis Club gathered at the Mount Vernon Restaurant for the first joint meeting of District Kiwanis Clubs as well as local Service clubs since 2019.

The annual gathering, known as an Interclub Meeting, has not been held due to the restrictions and concerns caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. Kiwanis members from East Boston, Malden and Medford and Greater Boston Young Professionals and members of the Somerville Rotary Club and Lions Club attended the celebration which was themed, Halfway to Saint Patrick’s Day.

Cambridge Police Deputy Superintendent Pauline Wells opened the event by singing the National Anthems of Ireland and the United States followed by a wonderful buffet dinner.

Cambridge Police Deputy Superintendent Pauline Wells.

President Mernaysa Rivera-Bujosa addressed the members, recounting the wonderful work that had been completed in the community over the past year despite the pandemic. Some of those included boxed lunches for senior residents, Christmas gifts for children in the Head Start program distributed by members, Christmas gifts for the Marine Corps Toys For Tots program, Reading is Fundamental program where members visited Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms and donated books for every student, scholarships for high school seniors, distribution of over 200 bicycle helmets to children and finally a very successful school supply, backpack program where over 200 backpacks and supplies were provided to students most in need of assistance

The highlight of the evening was the induction of new member John Caruso, who was presented his “builders apron,” a symbol of the club theme, We Build. Following dinner, our keynote speaker was Joe Lynch, a well-known local cable TV celebrity as was as a Licensing Board Commissioner. Joe gave a great summary of the workings of the Licensing Commission and the new challenges that the board will be facing with changes in cannabis laws which will affect every community sooner or later.

A great night was had by all. If you are interested in learning more about the Kiwanis Club of Somerville, visit their web page, www.somervillekiwanis.org or like us on Facebook, Kiwanis Club of Somerville.

Speaker Joe Lynch.

Brune, Caruso and Rivera-Bujosa.